Head Start Research Paper

DEVELOPING HEAD START IN OUR SCHOOL

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families has released improved Head Start Performance Standards. This is the first comprehensive overhaul of standards since they were first published. Both the early education landscape and our knowledge of the science of early learning have changed vividly in the last half century. Change and common core performance standards were sorely in need of modernization.

A new framework of effective practices for teaching young children, under Head Start is simple and welcome by teachers, students, and the community. The National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning uses a house symbol to represent four integral elements of quality

Common Core State Standards standards support revision of Head Start programs to produce the best possible preschool outcomes. There are studies and statistics but not absolute results to truly measure how effective these programs are when comparing children who receive early education and intervention to those who enter formal schooling in Kindergarten, (Reynolds 2010).

Last year’s senior valedictorian at Central High School, was a Head Start student. We waited with baited breath for her to credit her success to Head Start teachers, but instead she praised her high school AP science teacher! Every child deserves to be treated like a future honors student. You never know when or how success shines thru.

Sample Open Head Start Classroom LayoutClassroom_1.jpg

For working in a public Head Start, a bright open classroom can be accomplished in a medium size room. Notice the seat backs, different colored totes, bookcases, and craft area. This is a minimalist, fun and safe student oriented room.

Figure X

The teacher is able to scan the entire area without blind spots. Math corners, alphabet, number dots, charts and theme boards are positioned with the young learner in mind. Keeping a classroom simple, clean, and welcoming benefits students and

School districts have the option of multi-tiered Head Start funding assistance for a portion or all related expenses (eclkc. Federal school lunch programs are available. In-house staff training may be provided as well as outreach courses, or online through universities. A large corporation, such as Wolf Trap’s Early Learning through the Arts, opens the world to preschoolers and schools with affordable free or reduced contracts.

Programs such as Teach America are available to help reimburse teacher tuition if a teaching position is obtained in underserved areas. Performing arts groups, museums even a traveling circus may offer low cost and rich opportunities to explore and experience the world. The Albertson grocery in the southeast United States provides a fun, instructive look at nutrition, employment and the world of food distribution. CEO’s recognize the education of young children is an important business model. Zigler writes, in order to target resource funds “a market based approach is necessary.” Funding should go to initiatives with the highest rate of societal return. In The Pre-K Debates, he states, “at risk children should have priority over implementing universal preschool programs.” Lake Elementary already models ways to do more with less, and smart